Douglas L. Orcutt

Douglas Lee Orcutt

August 24, 1952 – October 15, 2011

      Douglas Lee Orcutt of Bainbridge Island, Washington, died October 15, 2011 at the age of 59 after a long illness. He was born in Seattle, August 24, 1952, to Donald M. Orcutt and Marion Wille Orcutt.

      Douglas attended Federal Way High School. He graduated from Eastern Washington University in 1975 with honors, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Anthropology.

      While Doug attended Federal Way High School he was recognized as an outstanding football player. He went on to Eastern Washington University where he continued his football career as a walk-on, proving his abilities as a varsity player for his four years at Cheney. Multiple newspaper articles and awards attest to his prowess and dominance as defensive tackle. He was selected by the Evergreen Conference and NAIA District One as All-Star Defense, first team, all four years.

      In 1975 he was hired by Alaska Airlines and moved to Anchorage, Alaska where he met and married Elisa Homme. In his 34 year career at Alaska he was highly respected for not only his work on the job, but his work with the International Association of Machinists Union where he held many positions including Contract Negotiator, Local President, Trustee, Shop Committee, Shop Committee Chairman, and Shop Steward among others.

      He will also be remembered as an accomplished musician and an avid body builder competing in the Mr. Alaska competition. He was a voracious reader, with an impressive personal library and a keen mind for history. The rugged Alaskan wilderness provided many enjoyable hours of fishing, another of Douglas’s passions.

      Douglas is survived by his brothers; Clifton (Carla) Orcutt of Bainbridge Island, WA, Russell (Kristi) Orcutt of Enumclaw, WA, a sister; Sandra (Les) Klein of Poulsbo, WA, nieces; Kirsten (Bryan) Kramer of Bainbridge Island, WA, Heather (Will) VanVorous of Seattle, WA, nephews; Donald Orcutt of Poulsbo, WA, Evan Orcutt of Enumclaw, WA, and great-niece; Genevieve Kramer of Bainbridge Island, WA.

      Douglas will be sorely missed by friends and family and remembered as an accomplished and compassionate man who commanded respect through his hard work and gentle but firm manner. He was aggressive on the football field, but always a negotiator off the field.

      The family asks that in lieu of flowers, remembrance be made to the Alaska Airlines Employee Assistance Fund or to Franciscan Hospice c/o Garden Terrace 491 S. 338th Street, Federal Way, WA.

      Please sign the online Guest Book for the family at: www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.

TRIBUTE Paid Notice